Mathura clashes: Toll climbs to 24, probe ordered

MATHURA: At least 24 people, including an SP and an SHO, have been killed in the massive clash between police and encroachers that broke out here on Thursdayeven as Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has ordered an inquiry.

19 people have been killed apart from SP City Mukul Dwivedi and SHO, Farah, Santosh Yadav, Pradeep Bhatnagar, commissioner, Agra division, said on Friday.

A magisterial probe has also been ordered and over 200 people have been detained for questioning, he said.

The violence had erupted when police were trying to evict illegal occupants, believed to be of Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena (SBSS), from Jawahar Bagh on Thursday on the directions of the Allahabad high court.

In Lucknow, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered a probe by the divisional commissioner of Mathura, an official spokesperson said. The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs20 lakh each for the families of the martyred policemen.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh said he has reviewed the situation in Mathura.

"I have spoken to the chief minister of Uttar Pardesh and reviewed the situation in Mathura. I have assured him of all possible help from the Centre.

"I am anguished over the loss of lives in the incident in Mathura. May God give strength to the bereaved families," Rajnath Singh said.

Encroachers described themselves as "Satyagrahis"

The encroachers, who call themselves "Satyagrahis", had occupied the park in the Jawahar Bagh area for over two years. The 260-acre park is valued in crores of rupees.

The encroachers demand "cancellation of the elections" of the President and Prime Minister of India. They also want that diesel be sold at 60 litres a rupee and petrol at 40 litres a rupee. The existing currency, they also say, should be replaced.

So far, police have been able to identify only one of the group's leaders, Ram Vriksha Yadav, but have no further information about him or his associates.

Setback for Akhilesh goverment

The incident has come as a setback to the Samajwadi Party (SP) government in the state which braces for elections early next year and is already faced with charges of lawlessness in the state.

Mathura MP Hema Malini expressed shock and anguish over the incident and questioned why UP police "did not" take action in the matter during the last two years.

"It is very sad and I was very, very shocked that policemen and people lost their lives. For the last two years I had heard that they had occupied land," the BJP MP said.